What is stool culture with Shiga toxin?
If Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is detected (positive culture), it means STEC is the cause of the person’s symptoms. A negative stool culture for STEC means that Escherichia coli O157:H7 was not present or was not present in sufficient numbers to be detected.
What is Shiga toxin associated with?
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) belongs to the body of thrombotic microangiopathies [1], a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by a triad of features: thrombocytopenia, mechanical hemolytic anemia with schistocytosis, and ischemic organ damage.
What does Shiga toxin do to the body?
Toxicity of the toxin causes inflammatory responses and severe cell damages in the intestine, kidneys, and brain, bringing about the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be fatal. The Shiga toxin requires a couple of steps to exert its toxicity to the target cells.
What is the difference between shiga toxin 1 and 2?
Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) is neutralized by antibodies against Shiga toxin, whereas Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) is not neutralized by antibodies against Shiga toxin but is neutralized by homologous antibodies. STEC are also referred to as verocytotoxigenic E.
What are the symptoms of Shiga toxin?
Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5 to 7 days.
What are the symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli?
What are the symptoms of Shiga toxins?
Symptoms of STEC infections can vary, but most often include severe diarrhea (loose stool/poop), stomach cramps, and vomiting. Diarrhea is often bloody and usually little or no fever is present.
What causes Shiga toxin E. coli?
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a bacterium that can cause severe foodborne disease. Primary sources of STEC outbreaks are raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, and faecal contamination of vegetables.
What is the treatment for Shiga toxin?
There is no specific treatment for STEC infections. Since diarrhea can cause dehydration (loss of water in the body causing weakness or dizziness), drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated is important.
How is EHEC treated?
Treatment. The mainstay of treatment for EHEC infection is supportive. Although E. coli is sensitive to most commonly used antibiotics, antibiotics have not been shown to alleviate symptoms, reduce carriage of the organism, or prevent hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
What does Shiga toxin mean?
Shiga toxin is a bacterial toxin that attacks the lining of blood vessels.
How is Shiga toxin spread?
Shigella also produce a number of toxins (Shiga toxin and others) that increase the amount of fluid secretion by the intestinal tract. This fluid secretion is a major cause of the diarrhea symptoms. Shigella infection spreads through food or water contaminated by human waste.
What is the toxin name of Shigella?
The Shiga toxin, also called the verotoxin, is produced by Shigella dysenteriae and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), of which the strain O157:H7 has become the best known. The syndromes associated with shiga toxin include dysentery, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome.